How Not to Blow Your Travel Budget

Travelling is a lot of things, and cheap is not one of them. If you’re careful and realistic though, there’s no reason you cant stick to a budget while abroad. Here are my favorite tricks to keeping the budget from blowing up.

1. Be Realistic
Sure, you can explore a new town on $20 dollars a day, but if you hate hostels and won’t eat at less than 3 stars, you’re probably not going to. Write down what you want out of the trip you’re taking, and create a realistic budget that takes into account accommodations, food, activities and incidentals.

2. Travel in the off-season
To be honest, this one is a no-brainer to me. Not only is the price going to be dramatically different, you also benefit from a lack of crowds. You’ll also benefit from more personal service and much more choice in accommodations available.

3. Fly Mid -Week
I fly almost exclusively on Tuesdays. Why? because its usually at least 20% cheaper than flying on the weekend.

4. Don’t Over-pack
You’ll be amazed at how unnecessary you’ll find that 6th pair of shorts when you start having to pay extra bag fees to bring it. Instead of bringing you’re entire wardrobe, pack a few simple basics in neural colors that coordinate for a simple travel capsule wardrobe.

5. Invest In a Good Water Bottle
A good reusable water bottle is worth its weight in gold sometimes, fill it up in the morning before you leave, and again when you stop for lunch and aid being gauged for a bottle of water at tourist traps.

6. Skip the Fancy Hotel
Four star resorts and hotels can be nice, but they will eat up a huge protion of your budget if you let them. Instead, opt for a VRBO or condo rental and you will save big $$$$

7. Eat Like The Locals
A lot of the time restaurants around hotel districts are crazy expensive, and may not offer the most authentic tastes. Ask your concierge or taxi driver for their local favorite, and you may just find a hidden gem that will become your new favorite too.

8. Skip The Tacky Souvenirs
Do you really need another T-shirt or Knick-knack? Do you think your brother really wants a shot glass with a turtle from somewhere hes never been? One or two meaningful mementos is fine, but avoid the temptation to buy enough junk to necessitate buying more luggage (don’t laugh, we’ve all been there).